The Dark Knight, DIR. Cristopher Nolan (2008)
International Financial Centre, Hong Kong
Batman gliding towards the International Financial Centre. Scenes from The Dark Knight, 2008, directed by Christopher Nolan.
The Dark Knight (2008) is a film directed by Christopher Nolan about Police Lieutenant James Gordan, District Attorney Harvey Dent, and the Batman decide to cooperate in fighting against organized crime in Gotham City, but are threatened by the Joker, who decides to ruin the Batman’s reputation and throws the city into chaos. The International Financial Centre, an integrated commercial development located at the waterfront of Hong Kong’s Central District, is a featured building in the film. The modern skyscraper reveals the power of Lau, a corrupted accountant in the movie that works with the crime group, and shows Batman’s capability to fight crime beyond the restrictions of law and borderline.
Built and opened in 1997, the building is currently the second-highest skyscraper in Hong Kong, containing most of the largest transnational financial companies, such as Nomura Holdings Inc. and Ernst & Young. When the night falls, its glorious light can be seen all over Victoria Harbour. In the movie, the modernistic building symbolizes Lau’s power and wealth, as the whole building belongs to him, named LSI. In the film, the building has a tight security system that is hard to get in. As described in the film, Lau “is holed up in there good and tight.” This provides a big contrast to the scene when the Batman jumps from the roof of the building at night, breaking into the window, taking down the safety guards, and capturing Lau effortlessly. This dramatic contrast indicates Batman’s ability to break the limits.
There is also a huge contrast between day and night. During the day, when negotiating with Lucius Fox, the CEO of Wayne Enterprises, Lau is quite arrogant and expresses his dissatisfaction directly when Fox says their business deal has to be put on hold. At the same time, Bruce Wayne, disguised as a tourist, looks benign and utterly harmless in the sunlight. But at night, when the power goes out, Batman becomes a scary and merciless vigilante, skulking in the darkness. And the arrogance of Lau has far gone, replaced by a sense of helplessness under Batman’s attack. The dark tone not only shows the sense of oppression and fear that Batman gives to the crime, but also is a perfect echo to the title of the film, that Batman can be the silent guardian, the watchful protector, the dark knight of Gotham.
— Li Yuelin, 3035948093
Note:
1. Lau is actually owning the One International Financial Center, which is much shorter than the skyscraper, Two International Financial Center. In the movie, Batman jumps from 2IFC towards 1IFC.
The “LSI” building in the film. The tone in the right picture is darkened to reflect Batman’s features. Scenes from The Dark Knight, 2008, directed by Christopher Nolan.
Left: Lau becomes annoyed as he thinks Fox is deliberately wasting his time. Right: Batman capturing and taking away Lau. Scenes from The Dark Knight, 2008, directed by Christopher Nolan.
The exploration of contrast and how it relates to the film’s themes is generally well-communicated with examples of scenes from the film. However, it is unclear if you conducted a virtual field trip, which could allow for a more direct and specific comparison of the space in reality and in the film. For example, it may be possible to get a shot of the IFC and the surrounding buildings which is similar to one of the stills you selected through Google Earth. You are also reminded to cite any references used.